Project R-12204

PhD: Development of thermal- and impedance-based sensor for applications in the food industry. (Research)

Microfluidic tools have become increasingly popular as an in-line monitoring method in various domains, especially in quality control or detecting contamination. This research aims to develop an integrated thermal-based sensor to monitor various chemical, physical, or biological processes in the framework of in-line microfluidic applications. The sensor would use a modified transient plane source measurement principle to monitor thermal changes and determine the thermal conductivity. The thermal sensing element would consist of a single sensor structure that can measure primary parameters such as temperature or thermal effusivity and secondary parameters such as the flow speed, turbulence, mixing ratio, changes in solid content, and sedimentation. Finite-element multi-physics simulation, combined with equivalent electrical and thermal models, will serve as tools for designing, characterizing, and testing the new sensor. In parallel, the device will be fabricated and tested in real-life. Different proof-ofapplications will be considered during the project to demonstrate the broad application domains from the sensor technique. In that sense, the project works to develop a generic (bio)sensor measurement platform independent of the application. By valorizing this technology platform, one can further explore different vertical pillars, working towards a more dedicated sensor for a specific application.

16 September 2021 - 31 October 2022